ZLHR reaffirms commitment to UDHR on International...

ZLHR reaffirms commitment to UDHR on International Human Rights Day

Philemon Jambaya

On International Human Rights Day, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights reiterated its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, urging the government to uphold, respect, promote, and protect the equal and inalienable rights of all people.

International Human rights Day is commemorated annually on December 10 worldwide.

The UDHR, proclaimed in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly, enshrines the basic rights every individual is entitled to regardless of background. ZLHR celebrates this landmark document, highlighting its crucial role in setting universal human rights standards.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Human Rights, “Freedom, Equality and Justice for All”, resonates deeply with the core principles of the UDHR. These three pillars are fundamental to what it means to be human.

However, the organisation acknowledges major challenges persisting globally, including rising conflict, war, inequalities, climate change, and pandemics. This compels global collaboration to address these issues and secure a future where everyone can thrive in peace, equality, and dignity.

In Zimbabwe, ZLHR expresses concern over the continued assault on the promises of the UDHR. They highlight human rights violations by state actors and non-state actors, including abductions, torture, arrests, and repression against human rights defenders.

Furthermore, ZLHR decries the democratic recession manifested in voter disenfranchisement, voter suppression, illegal recalls, sham elections, and disregard for the Constitution, which they argue starkly violate citizens’ fundamental rights to political participation and representation.